Night Owl 5KM 2026

The Night Owl 5KM returns to Halifax on March 21, 2026, for its sixth running under the Blue Nose Marathon Society. Launched in 2021, the Night Owl grew out of a desire to keep the running community engaged after the pandemic and has become a staple early-season, after-dark race on the Halifax Peninsula.

This is a single-day, in-person 5-kilometre run and walk that starts at 7:30 PM in Point Pleasant Park. The route winds along the park’s mixed road and trail surfaces and finishes near the lower parking area off Point Pleasant Drive. The event is chip-timed and also offers a virtual option; participants can switch to the virtual event at no cost by contacting the race team. Kit pick-up is held during race week with scheduled times at a local pickup location.

What sets Night Owl apart is the nocturnal, community-forward atmosphere: runners light up the park with headlamps and reflective gear, volunteers marshal the route with safety vests and provided lights, and finishers receive Night Owl-branded swag and a customised medal. The event supports local causes — recent editions have included fundraising for Hope for Wildlife — and keeps a family-friendly tone while enforcing safety rules (headlamps or other visibility required).

Registration is open for the 2026 race; space is limited, so runners are encouraged to register early and confirm kit pick-up times. Runners who register by the personalized-bib deadline will receive a name-printed race bib; full race-day logistics, kit-pickup windows, and participant instructions are available through the official Night Owl event page.